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NTSB Final Report: Covelo, California

Location:

Covelo, California

Accident Number:

WPR22LA031

Date & Time:

October 28, 2021, 12:00 Local

Registration:

N27TK

Aircraft:

Bell 206L-3

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Injuries:

4 None

Flight Conducted Under:

Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

Analysis

The pilot of the helicopter reported that, he was conducting a local area photography/video flight with passengers. Before departure he had removed the doors and provided a preflight safety briefing, which included briefing his passengers on securing their belongings. While in cruise flight, a passenger’s jacked departed the helicopter and became lodged on the synchronized elevator. The pilot simultaneously felt an impact and noted resistance against the cyclic control. A precautionary landing was made without further incident. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A passenger’s unsecured object departed the cabin resulted in a collision with the tail rotor drive shaft.

Findings

Personnel issues - Understanding/comprehension - Passenger

Environmental issues - Debris/dirt/foreign object - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute - Cabin safety event

Enroute-cruise - Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate:

Commercial; Flight instructor; Private

Age:

29,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

None

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Helicopter

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

Helicopter

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 1 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

June 20, 2021

Occupational Pilot:

Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

September 22, 2021

Flight Time:

1701 hours (Total, all aircraft), 87 hours (Total, this make and model), 88 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 47 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Passenger Information

Certificate:

 

Age:

Male

Airplane Rating(s):

 

Seat Occupied:

Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

 

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

 

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

 

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

 

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

Passenger Information

Certificate:

 

Age:

Female

Airplane Rating(s):

 

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

 

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

 

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

 

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

 

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

Passenger Information

Certificate:

 

Age:

Male

Airplane Rating(s):

 

Seat Occupied:

Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

 

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

 

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

 

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

 

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Bell

Registration:

N27TK

Model/Series:

206L-3 NO SERIES

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

1985

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

51138

Landing Gear Type:

None; Skid

Seats:

7

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

July 8, 2021 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

4150 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

45.4 Hrs

Engines:

1 Turbo shaft

Airframe Total Time:

14046 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:

Rolls Royce

ELT:

C126 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series:

C250-030P

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

650 Horsepower

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

Rotorcraft external load (133), On-demand air taxi (135), Commercial air tour (136), Certificate of authorization or waiver (COA)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

KUKI,626 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

40 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

11:56 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

176°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

/                                            Turbulence Type

Forecast/Actual:

None / None

Wind Direction:

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

30.18 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

19°C / 12°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Ukiah, CA (UKI)

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Company VFR

Destination:

Covelo, CA

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

11:40 Local

Type of Airspace:

Class E

Airport Information

Airport:

UKIAH MUNI UKI

Runway Surface Type:

 

Airport Elevation:

616 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

Dry

Runway Used:

 

IFR Approach:

None

Runway Length/Width:

 

VFR Approach/Landing:

Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 None

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

3 None

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

 

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

4 None

Latitude, Longitude:

39.7905,-123.26633(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Cornejo, Tealeye

 

Additional Participating Persons:

Dennis Thorpe; Federal Aviation Administration; Oakland, CA

 

Original Publish Date:

May 4, 2022                                                                    Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104227